Welding mechanism



April 29, 1947 c. BRUNO WELDING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 15, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I IN VEN TOR.

HTTO/YWEYJ.

April 29, 1947. BR NO 2,4;9,s17

WELDING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 15, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Z'arZes ,Zruna.

Va l e 76/ dresser MM /04 Patented Apr. 29, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WELDING MECHANISM Charles Bruno, Highland Park, Mich.

Application September 13, 1943, Serial No. 502,085

Claims. 1

The present invention relates to welding mechanisms, and more particularly is directed to the provision of an improved method of dressing the electrodes of resistance welding machines and to the combination in such a machine of improved apparatus for effecting such dressing operations.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide an improved method and apparatus as broadly characterized above, which is simple, economical and eificient; to provide such an arrangement utilizing means to support a plurality of electrodes for movement between welding and dressing positions, said means being effective in each of its several positions to support one electrode in welding position, and to support another electrode in a dressing position; to provide such an arrangement incorporating means at the dressing station to dress an electrode there positioned; to provide uch an arrangement incorporating automatic means to control the movement of the electrode supporting means between its successive positions; and to generally improve and simplify welding operations of the above type.

With the above as well as other and more detailed objects in view, which appear in the following description and in the appended claims, a preferred but illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, throughout the several views of which corresponding reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a resistance welding machine of the spot welding type, embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of the structure associated with the upper horn of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation of the structure of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in perspective corresponding generally to Fig. 1;

Fig, 5 is a more or less diagrammatic view of a limit switch which may be used in the practice of the invention; and

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of an automatic control system embodying the invention.

It will be appreciated from a complete understanding of the present invention that the improvements thereof may be embodied in or used in connection with various types of equipment. A preferred application of the invention is in connection with the familiar operation of dressing the electrodes of resistance welding machines of the spot welding type. In an illustrative but not in a limiting sense, the invention is so disclosed herein.

Referring to the drawings, the illustrated resistance welding machine is of the familiar rocker arm type, having a frame structure I 0, which may house the usual welding transformer and certain other operating parts, a lower horn l2 and an upper horn Hi. The lower horn I2 is secured to a face plate IS provided at the front of the frame Ill, and as will be understood, is electrically connected through this face plate to one terminal of the secondary winding of the welding transformer. The upper horn 14, also formed of conductive material, is pivotally supported by the frame Ill by means of a shaft I8. A flexible lead 20 may serve to connect horn M to the other terminal of the secondary winding of the welding transformer, it being understood that conventional means are utilized to properly insulate the horns l2 and M from each other and, where necessary, from other parts of the machine. Suitable and conventional operating mechanisms, such as rams (not shown) may be embodied in the frame structure i8, and may be coupled to the horn l4, through the link 22, for operating the horn [4. The horn I4 is shown in the position in which the electrodes carried by the horns l2 and I4 are slightly separated, suificient separation being afforded to permit adjustment of the work relative thereto. The means connected to link 22 may, as will be understood, be actuated to clamp the work between the just-mentioned electrodes, and may also be actuated to effect a wider separation of the electrodes to further accommodate adjustments in the position of the work.

In accordance with the present invention, the electrode carrying arms, which are usually secured to the horns l2 and It at the forward ends thereof, are replaced by the electrode carrying arms 30 and 32 and the associated elements described below. Arms 30 and 32 are conventionally and adjustably secured to horns l4 and I2. Except for their reversal as to position, the arms 30 and 32 and associated elements may be similarly constructed and arranged and, consequent- 1y, a description of one will suffice for both.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, the arm 30 terminates in a downwardly directed portion 40, which serves as a bearing for a rotatable electrode carrying member 52. The member 42 is provided with an enlarged head M, which defines a shoulder 46. Shoulder 45 is drawn into Snug engagement with the outer face of the portion 40 by means illustrated as comprising the lock nuts 48. Current conduction between the arm and the member 44 may thus take place between the shoulder 49 and the engaged portions of the member and also between the cylindrical surface 50 of the member 44 and the engaged bearing portion of the arm 30. An efficient and satisfactory electrical circuit is thus provided, and at the same time the member 42 may be rotated relative to the arm 30 to bring it to its successive operating positions.

In accordance with the present invention, the head 44 supports a plurality of electrodes 5%, only two diametrically opposed such electrodes being shown by way of example. The electrodes may be conventionally constructed, and are illustrated as having tapered bodies which are received in correspondingly tapered openings 62 in the head 44. The electrodes are provided with usual deflector tubes 64, the inner ends whereof are secured to distributor 66 provided at the end of a coolant inlet line 68, which extends through the body of the member 42, and is supported therein by perforate spiders 69. Line 68 may be connected in any suitable way, as by a flexible hose (not shown) to a source of coolant, which flexible connection accommodates the hereinafter mentioned rocking movements of the member 42. Coolant introduced through the line 68 and into the electrodes through the deflector tubes 64 is discharged therefrom through the annular spaces surrounding the deflector tubes 64 and the inlet line 68, as will be understood. A suitable exhaust connection for the last-mentioned annular space 10 is indicated at I2 and may, as will be understood, be flexibly connected to the exhaust side of the coolant circuit.

Since the member 42 supports only two diametrically opposed electrodes in the present embodiment, the system is arranged. so that this member may occupy either one of two diametrically opposite positions, and is provided with a motive means operative to reciprocate it between these positions. The just-mentioned motive means is illustrated herein as comprising a usual air motor 80 of the vane type. Motor 80 is provided with a housing which is secured to the horn I4 by supporting brackets 82, and also accommodates a rock shaft 84, to which the operating vane 86 is secured. The end of the rock shaft 84 extends outwardly of the housing and is suitably pinned or otherwise connected to the end of the member 42. The connection between brackets 82 and horn I4 is adjustable to accommodate axial adjusting movements of arm 30 relative to horn !4.

Any suitable means may be provided to firmly hold member 42 in its respective limit positions. As described below in connection with Fig. 5, it is now preferred to utilize motor 80 for this purpose and, consequently, the fluid circuits associated with motor 80 are so arranged that air or other operating fluid acts against the motor in each limit position to hold it and member 42 in such limit position. When it is desired to reverse the position of member 42, the just-mentioned fluid circuits are reversed, thereby causing the motor to rock member 42 through an angle of 180 and retain it in the opposite limit position.

It will be recognized that while member 42 is in, for example, the illustrated position, the lower electrode 60 is in operative position for welding purposes and may be moved into clamping en'- gagement with the work by the previously described movement of horn I4. At the same time, the upper electrode 60 is accessible for repair or replacement purposes, which purposes can be accomplished without interfering with the continued operation of the welder.

In spot welding machines, electrodes require vary frequent dressing operations, and in the preferred practice of the invention, accordingly, mean are provided to enable the inactive electrode of each pair to be dressed while in the inactive or dressing position.

The dressing equipment is illustrated as comprising a usual fly cutter 90, suitably secured at the lower end of a rotatable shaft 92, which is supported in a bearing member 94. upper end of the shaft is connected, through governor links 95 and S8, to a crcsshead lilil, which turn is coupled to the rotatable drive shaft I04 of a usual motor I9B,-which may be air operated or otherwise. Motor I06 is carried by a bracket I08, which in turn is adjustably secured to an upstanding bracket H0. The latter bracket is secured to the arm 30. With this arrangement, the normal position of the fly cutter 90 may be vertically adjusted by rotating adjusting nut III to accommodate differently dimensioned electrodes, as will be understood.

Referring further to the governor elements, the links 98, which may be arranged in pairs, are pinned to the upper end of the shaft 92, and to the companion links 96. Links 99, in turn, are pinned to crosshead I00. A spring or equivalent element I I2 is provided to normally bias the links 96 and 98 to the illustrated position, in which the fly cutter 90 is retracted. The links 96 carry weights I I4 and it will be understood that during rotation of the shaft I04, these weights overcome the effect of the spring I I2 and move the fly cutter 90 downwardly into engagement with the working face of the upper electrode 60. The pressure of this engagement is, of course, determined by the rate of rotation of the motor I06 and by the proportionings of the weights I I4 and the spring H2. As described in connection with Fig. 6, means are preferably provided to automatically time the operation of the motor I06 so that in response to each actuation thereof it produces a dressing operation of predetermined length. It will also be understood that the shape of the fly cutter or other dressing instruments may be made to conform to the desired configuration of the working face of the electrode.

In the preferred practice of the invention, a given electrode is subjected to a dressing operation at regular intervals based, for example, upon a predetermined number of welds. When a series comprising such predetermined number of welds has been made, utilizing a particular electrode, the motor is actuated to reverse the position of the member 42, thereby presenting a previously dressed electrode to the work, and presenting the used electrode to the dressing fixture. As soon as such used electrode is so presented to the dressing fixture, the motor I06 is turned on and is caused to remain in operation for a predetermined interval. As will be obvious, and in the broader aspects of the invention, various control systems may be utilized to provide the abovementioned sequence. An illustrative such system is shown in Fig. 6, in which a usual weld timer I20 is arranged to receive power from a suitable source of supply, illustrated as comprising line conductors LI and L2. The weld timer I20 is under the control of a usual pilot switch 122 and, as will be understood, may incorporate means which, in response to a momentary closure of switch I22, actuate the horn I4 to clamp the work between the electrodes, cause the flow of a desired quantity of welding current through the work, and thereafter actuate horn I4 to relieve the just-mentioned welding pressure. In the present instance, each such return movement of the horn I 4, which takes place at the conclusion of a particular welding operation, is utilized to actuate counting or integrating mechanism. More particularly, the machine frame I0 supports a usual limit switch I30, which may be and preferably is of the snap type. As shown, switch I30 comprises a fixed contact I32 and a movable contact I34, which is carried at the end of a pivoted arm I36. The shaft I38, to which arm I36 is fixed, also carries a walking beam I40, which cooperates with a roller I42, yieldably associated with the end of an operating arm I44. Arm I44 is fixed on a shaft I46 and is coupled to a companion arm I 48 through a spring I50. Arm I48 is disposed for engagement by a push rod I52 carried by horn I4. When horn I4 is retracted to the illustrated position at the conclusion of each welding operation, push rod I52 engages arm I48 and rocks it clockwise, as shown in Fig. 5. This clockwise movement is transmitted through spring I50 to arm I44 and causes the roller I 42 to advance upwardly along the walking beam I40. After a predetermined amount of such movement, roller I42 passes above the pivotal axis of walking beam I40 and quickly snaps the latter to a position in which contacts I32 and I34 are brought into engagement with each other. Release of the pressure on arm I48 enables spring I54 to restore the parts to a position in which the contacts I32 and I34 are separated. The spring I50 accommodates any additional movement of arm I 48 after the just-mentioned closing movement of the movable contact I34. Such additional movement is relatively slight when horn I4 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 1, and is somewhat greater when horn I4 is actuated to afford maximum separation of the electrodes.

The counting mechanism which responds to switch I30 may be variously arranged, but is illustrated as comprising a usual ratchet unit having a toothed drum I60, an advancing pawl I62 and a resetting pawl I64. Pawls I 62 and I54 are provided with operating solenoids I56 and I50, respectively, and are also provided with biasing springs I and I I2. spring I'IZ normally holds pawl I52 in the illustrated retracted position and spring I I2 holds pawl I64 in holding position. A usual spiral spring II4 biases the drum I50 to the illustrated starting position. The shaft I'I6 oi the ratchet i unit carries a commutator arm I18, which cooperates with a plurality of fixed terminals I80, corresponding in number and spacing to the number of teeth on the ratchet unit. vEach notching unit of drum I60 thus advances arm re I18 by an amount equal to the spacing between successive contacts its. It will be understood that with the illustrated arrangement, in which drum I60 is advanced one notch at the conclusion of each weld, the number of ratchet teeth and contacts I80 are arranged to be in excess of the number of Welds which can. successfully be made between successive dressing operations. For example, in connection with the welding of aluminum for aircraft purposes, it is frequently desirable to efiect the dressing operation after thirty or forty welds have beenmade.

As shown, the commutator arm H0 is permanently connected by conductor I8I to the operating coil of a suitable control relay CR3. A con- It will be understood that I ductor I82, which may selectively be connected to any of the terminals I80, serves to complete the circuit for the coil of relay CR3 when the appropriate terminal is reached by arm I18.

Each time relay CR3 is energized, it serves, as described below, to reset the ratchet unit I60. Such actuation of relay CR8 also serves, through a cooperating relay CR4, to actuate a usual fourway valve I84, associated with and common to the electrode motors 80, and a usual electromagnetically operated Valve I86, associated with and common to the dresser motors I06. Relay CR4 may be conventionally constructed. As shown, it comprises a spring-biased armature I90, which carries a spring-pressed finger I 92 for cooperation with a toothed wheel I94. Wheel I04 is provided with a holding spring I90, which yieldably holds it in the successive positions to which it is advanced by the finger I 92. It will be appreciated that a momentary energization of the coil of relay CR4 causes the armature I90 to move counterclockwise. This movement, through finger I92, advances the Wheel I84 one notch. When the relay coil is d'e-energized, spring lea restores the armature to the illustrated position, during which movement the spring associated with finger I92 enables it to pass over the next successive tooth and snap into position therebehind.

The shaft of wheel I94 carries a pair of triangular operating discs 200 and 202. In the illustrated position, disc 200 maintains contact 204 and 206 separated from each other and disc 202 maintains contacts 208 and 2!!! in engagement with each other. If the unit is advanced to the next position, discs 20d and 202 are advanced through a angle and present the fiat sides thereof to the spring arms 2I2 and 2I4. Under these conditions, arm 2I2 is enabled to move contact 206 into engagement with contact 204. Under these circumstances, also, arm 2I4 is enabled to separate contacts 208 and 2I0 and thereafter to bring contact 288 into engagement with contact 2 I 6.

It is believed that the remaining details of the system may best be understood by a description of the operation thereof. Under normal conditions, the line switches LS! and LS2 are open, so that all of the indicated electrical elements of the system are in a. tie-energized condition. Under these conditions, also, the pressure fluid circuits may be regarded as de-energized, in which event the motors hold their associated pairs of electrodes in the positions to which they were last moved under the influence of the friction between the correspon-ding members 42 and their bearings. Under these conditions, also, the limit switch I30 may be regarded as occupying a position in which its contacts I32 and I34 are in engagement with each other, since the upper horn I4 normally occupies the indicated separated posi tion. Further, the ratchet unit it'd may beregarded as being in its normal or starting position. To condition the system for operation, the line 224 associated with motors 80 may be connected to its source and the line switches LSI and LS2 may be closed. The former action suppliespressure fluid to the motors 80, positively holding them in the positions to which they were last moved and correspondingly positively retaining the associated pairs of electrodes in the'respective dressing and operating positions. Closure of the line switches LSI and LS2 completes a circuit for the coil of relay CR5, through the now engaged contacts 2n; and 2H] of relay CR4. Thus energized, relay CR5 closes its sole contacts CRSa,

which action is without effect in view of the now open condition of contact CRIa.

In order to make a weld, it will be understood, as aforesaid, that the starting switch I22 may be momentarily closed, which action energizes the usual weld timer I20. Upon being so energized, the weld timer I20 actuates the operating means (not shown) associated with the link 22 and causes the horn I4 to move the active pair of electrodes 60 into engagement with the Work. The timer I20, also, through conventional means (not shown), energizes the Welding transformer WT (Fig. 6) and causes the flow of welding current through the work. At the expiration of the period for which the timer I20 is set, it de-energizes the welding transformer WT and also deenergizes the operating means associated with link 22, thereby causing the electrodes to be separated from the work.

The making of the initial weld of each series of welds completes auxiliary control circuits associated with the ratchet unit I60 as follows: The flow of current through the welding transformer energizes a control relay CRI, the coil whereof is connected across the secondary winding of the welding transformer. Upon being so energized, relay CRI closes its sole contact CRIa and completes a circuit for an associated control relay CR2. Upon bein so energized, relay CR2 closes its contacts CR2a and CR2b. Contact CR2a completes a self-holding circuit for relay CR2 and, consequently, this relay remains energized even after the de-energization of relay CRI, which occurs at the conclusion of the first weld.

Closure of contact CR2b prepares a circuit for the winding I66 of the advancing pawl I62, which circuit is interrupted, under the conditions stated, however, since the movement of horn I4 at the beginning of the initial weld opens the limit switch I30.

At the conclusion of the above-mentioned first weld, the return movement of horn 14 causes closure oi limit switch !30. which action completes an obvious circuit for the winding I66, which circuit includes the now closed contacts CR2?) CREZ). Upon completion of this circuit, pawl i5? is advanced and moves the drum I69 from its starting position to the next position. This action is without effect on relay CR3, since the lead I82 is in engagement with a terminal which will not be reached until after a number of welds have been made. The initial movement of the drum E60, however, does enable closure of the limit switch 2l8, associated therewith, which action is preparatory to completion of a. circuit for the reset winding I68.

The second weld may be effected, as described before, by a momentary closure of switch I22, the consequent re-energization and de-energizatlon of relay CR! being without effect, since relay CR2 is energized through the above holding circuit. The clockwise movement of horn I4, which takes place at the beginning of the second weld, enables limit switch I30 to reopen, thereby deenergizing winding I68 and enabling pawl I62 to move to its retracted position behind the next ratchet tooth. The counterclockwise movement of horn I4 at the conclusion of the second weld again closes limit switch I30 and causes the drum I60 to advance to its second operating position. Similar operations occur as a consequence of the third and succeeding welds, it being noted that at the conclusion of each weld, completion of the return movement of horn I4 causes the ratchet unit to advance one step.

The completion of the last weld in the series for which the dressing mechanism is set, moves the commutator arm I18 into engagement with the terminal to which the lead I82 is connected. This action immediately completes a circuit for the winding of relay CR3, which thereupon moves to the energized position, closing its contacts CR3c, CR3d and CR3e, and opening its contacts CR3a and CR3b. The opening of contact CR3a prevents energization of the weld timer I20, and consequently prevents a. false operation of the welding machine during the time that the electrode assemblies are being reversed in position. In addition, the opening of contact CR3a opens the holding circuit for, and de-energizes, relay CR2, contacts CRM and CR2?) whereof, consequently, open.

The opening of contact CR3b interrupts the otherwise complete circuit for the advancing winding I66, which action is preparatory to the resetting of the drum I60.

Closure of contact CR3c completes a circuit, through the now closed limit switch 2I8, for the winding I63 of the resetting pawl, which pawl is thereupon withdrawn from holding engagement with the drum and enables the return spring I14 to restore the drum I60 to the starting position. The return movement of the drum interrupts the circuit for the coil of relay CR3, enabling the energy stored in the coil thereof to start discharging through an associated timing condenser 0!. Through this timing circuit, relay CR3 is retained in the energized position, sufiiciently long to enable completion of the reversing movement of the electrode assemblies, described below. Completion of the return movement of the drum I 60 opens the limit switch 2I8 associated therewith, thereby interrupting the circuit for the resetting winding I68, which action is without efiect.

Closure of contact CR3e completes a circuit for control relay CR6, which thereupon closes its sole contact CRSa. Closure of the latter contact completes a circuit for control relay CR1, which thereupon closes its contacts CRIa and CRIb. The latter contact completes a self-holding circuit for relay CR'I, which, consequently, remains in the energized condition so long as the line switches LSI and LS2 remain closed. Closure of contact CRla prepares a circuit for the timer 200, associated with valve I86, which valve is common to the dresser motors I06. Timer 200 may be of any conventional type, which. on being energized, closes its contact 200a, retains it closed for a. definite time, and then reopens it. Completion of the circuit for timer 200 is prevented by the contact CR5a,

which, as mentioned below, is now open.

Closure of contact CR3d of relay CR3 completes a circuit for the winding of relay CR4, which thereupon, as aforesaid, rotates the discs 200 and 202 through angles of 60. The movement of disc 200 causes closure of contacts 204 and 206, which action energizes winding 220, associated with valve I84. This operation reverses the position of this valve and, consequently, causes motors to move to and be retained at the opposite positions thereof, in which the previously active pair of electrodes 60 are presented to the associated dressing tools, and in which the previously inactive electrodes 60 are held in the working positions thereof.

The movement of disc 202 of relay CR4 causes separation of contacts 208 and 2I0, and shortly thereafter, causes closure of contacts 208 and m. The separation of contacts 208 and 2m interrupts the initially complete energizing circuit for the coil of relay CR5, enablingthis relay to promptly open its contact (IBM. The timing of the circuits is such that this reopening precedes the closure of contact CRIa. This latter timing sequence may be insured by providing relay CR1 with an adjustable dashpot 202, which delays its closure long enough to allow for the reopening of relay CR5.

' The closure of contacts 208 and 2H5 of relay CR4, which immediately follows the disengagement of contact 2), recompletes the circuit for the coil of relay CR5. Reclosure of contact CR5a is, however, delayed, as by an adjustable dashpot 204, for an interval sufliciently long to allow for the complete reversing movement of motors 80. Shortly after motors 89' complete their reversing movement, contact CREa recloses and thereupon completes the circuit for the timer 200. In response to this action, timer contact 209a closes and energizes valve I86, associated with dresser motors IE6; Upon completion of this circuit, motors I08 are energized to place their associated fly cutters in rotation. In addition, the associated governors cause these fly cutters to move to and yieldingly engage the faces of the electrodes presented thereto, and effect dressing operations thereon.

Relay CR3 may be adjusted to time out and resume its de-energized position at any time after motors 80 complete their reversing operation. As soon as this timing out operation is complete, relay CR3 resumes the illustrated position, reclosing contacts CR3a and CRSZ) and reopening contacts CRBc, CRM and CRSe. Reclosure of contact CR3areconditions the weld timer I20 for energization in response to a reclosure of the starting switch I22 and, consequently, enables the initiation of the first weld of the next series, being the first weld with the newly dressed electrodes. Closure of contact CRZia also conditions the holding circuit for relay CR2 for recompletion as soon as such relay is re-energized during the course of such next weld. Closure of contact CR-iib is without effect since contact CR2?) is now open. Reopening of contact CR3c is without effect, since the limit switch ZIB is now open. Opening of contact CR3d serves to de-energize relay CR4, which action restores its armature I95) to the illustrated position, but does not alter the position of the contacts of this relay. Reopening of contact CRiBc ole-energizes relay CR6, but is otherwise without effect, in view of the holding circuit afforded for relay CR1 by its contact CR'Ib.

Independently of whether a succeeding weld is initiated during the operation of the dresser motors, as influenced by timer 280, or whether the machine remains idle during such dressing motor operation, the dressing operation continues until timer 200 times out. This timing out interrupts, at contact 200a, the circuit for, and de-energizes, valve I86. This action stops the dressing motors I06 and allows the dressing tools 92 to be retracted away from the electrodes.

A succeeding weld may be initiated, either during or after the completion of the dressing operation, by again closing switch I22. The resultant sequencing, and the sequencing which occurs during the making of additional welds in the second series, duplicates that described with reference to the first series of welds. At the conclusion of the second series of welds, relay CR3 is again energized with, except as noted below,

l 0 the same efl'ect as before. In this instance, the operation of relay CR4 opens contacts 204 and 206, de-energizing the reversing valve I84 and restoring the connections for the electrode motors to the original condition. In response tothis action, the motors 80 again reverse the electrode assemblies, presenting the previously dressed pair of electrodes to the work engaging position, and presenting the used pair of electrodes to the ressing assemblies. In this case, also, the transfer movement of relay CR4 first separates contact 208 from contact 2H5 and thereafter causes this contact to engage contact 2H]. As before, this momentary interruption of the circuit of relay CR5 causes it to resume the de-energiz'ed position and to thereafter, at the expiration of its timing period; assume the energized position. The opening of contact CRBd ale-energizes timer and resets the same. The subsequentre closure of contact CR5a again energizes the timer 209 and initiates a new timing period thereof, throughout which it maintains the dresser motors in operation.

The exception noted above with respect to relay CR3 has to do with control relays CR6 and CR7. In this case, closure of contact CR3e again energizes relay CR6, but this action is with out effect since in this case relay CRT is already energized. The sequencing afforded by relays CR6 and CRT is needed only in connection with the making of the first series of welds after placing the system in service. Except for contact CRla, it will be noted, the timer 200 and, consequently, dresser motor valve i86, would be energized as an immediate consequence of the closure of the line switches LSI and LS2.

The-timing out of relay CR3 and of timer 200, following completion of the second series, dupli cates the corresponding operations which follow completion of the first series. All operations incident to the third and succeeding series of welds duplicate those described'in connection with the second series, except that, in connection with alternate series,- valve 224 is deenergized, and, in connection with intervening series, it is energized.

It will be noticed that if the system is taken out of service at an intermediate stage of a series of welds, ratchet unit I60 remain in the corresponding intermediate position and, consequently, as soon as such series is completed, following the replacing of the system in service, the reversal in position of the electrodes takes place in proper manner. The removal from service of the system de-energizes all control circuits, including the circuit for relay CR7 and, consequently, when relay CR3 is first energized after the system is again placed in service, relays CR6 and CR1 are again sequenced in the manner described in connection with completion of the first series of Welds.

As will be recognized, the previously mentioned conventional timers I20 and 260 are commercially available devices and, it is not believed, consequently, that the details of construction thereof need be described in the present application. By way of example, timer I2ii may be arranged as shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,289,320, granted July 7, 1942, and timer 2% may be arranged as shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,171,348, granted August 29, 1939.

Although only a single specific embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it will be appreciated that various modifications in the form, number and arrangement of the parts 11 may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What i claimed is:

1. In a welder, an electrode supporting member having means adapting it to support a plurality of electrodes, said member being movable between a plurality of positions, each movement of said member from one said position to another being effective to move one electrode to a working position in which it can be engaged with work to be welded and to move another said electrode to a dressing position, and means carried by the welder at said dressing position for effecting a dressing operation on said another electrode said means including means engageable with an electrode at said dressing position.

2. In a welder, an electrode supporting member having means adapting it to support an electrode, said member being movable between a plurality of positions, said member being effective in one said position to hold said electrode in position for engagement with work to be welded and, in another said position, to hold said electrode in position to have a dressing operation performed thereon, a dressing tool engageable with said electrode only when the electrode is in dressing position, means for actuating said dressing tool, and timing means controlled by and in accordance with the operation of the welder for controlling said actuating means.

3. In a welder, an electrode supporting member having means adapting it to support an electrode, said member being movable between a plurality of positions, said member being efiective in one said position to hold said electrode in position for engagement with work to be welded and, in another said position, to hold said electrode in position to have a dressing operation performed thereon, a dressing tool engageable with said electrod when the latter is in said dressing position, motive means for effecting said movement of said member and actuating means for said dressing tool, and timing means controlled by and in accordance with the operation of said welder for sequentially actuating said motive means and actuating means to cause said electrode to be moved to said dressing position and to thereafter actuate said dressing tool.

4. In a welder, an electrode supporting member having means adapting it to support an electrode, said member being movable between a plurality of positions, said member being effective in one said position to hold said electrode in position for engagement with work to be welded and, in another said position, to hold said electrode in position to have a dressing operation performed thereon, motive means for moving said member between said positions, means for enabling the delivery of welding current to said electrode, and means operative while said motive means is moving said member for rendering said enabling means ineffective.

5. In a welder, a pair of electrodes relatively movable with respect to each other to a welding position in which they engage the work to be welded, a member for supporting one of said electrodes and on which it is movable between a working position in readiness for a said relative movement to the welding position and a dressing position in which a said relative movement is ineffective to cause the electrodes to so engage the work, and means operative only when said one electrode is in the dressing position to efiect a dressing operation thereon.

CHARLES BRUNO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 647,694 Burton Apr. 7, 1900 1,282,502 Wagner et a1. Oct. 22, 1918 1,635,582 Meadowcroft July 12, 1927 1,635,583 Meadowcroft July 12, 1927 2,009,647 Bruse et al. July 30, 1935 2,130,657 Watkin Sept. 20, 1938 1,810,225 Pugh June 16, 1931 2,357,038 Whitesell Aug. 29, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 426,319 British June 27, 1933 525,053 British Aug. 21, 1940 832,846 French July 11, 1938 277,655 Italian Sept. 16, 1930 

